The Dillon tribune., 1887-12-09
A KITCHEN ROMANCE.

A KITCHEN ROMANCE.
Mrs. Lorins wanted cook, and was
talking with young Swedish woman
with view to engaging her. The neces-
sary questions and answers had been ex-
changed, and everything seemed satisfac-
tory; but the girl still stood as If hesi-
tating, lingering the fringe of her shawl.
She was round faced and rosy checked,
with somewhat dull look, which, how
ever, changed to a brighter one in pleas
ant, unexpected way when She smiled.
As she stood with her head bent little
down, and her eyes turned II little up, she
would not have been had model for a
painter of rustic studies.
"Dus you gels hev dey frants come in
do evenings" she said. II didunty want
lnush cumpny like so lots or gels, but l
hev vwon fran whut come offen.' And
her red cheeks grew rcdder.
Mrs. Loring ''grasped the situation"
''Oh yes, Tilda,' she said, ''that will be
all right; you IRE welcome to see any
Of your friends, il the kitchen is not
noisy und you keep early hours You
must tell them that Mrs. Loring is very
cross II the kitchen is not locked by 10
O'Clock" This last with smile that ut
once gave the lie to her words, and in
stlred obedience to them.
So Tilda came, and three times u week
her lover came to see her. Regularly at
1880 on his accustomed evenings his step
would sound on the walk that led to the
area, and as regularly it would bc heard,
few minutes before 10, departing. Her
only other guests were her sisters who
came but seldom, and then, by an ANUS
ing chance, always upon the alternate
evenings; but no loud noises or boisterous
laughing ever disturbed the house; indeed,
beyond subdued murmur of voices,
which might be heard in the pantry I'D
joining the kitchen, there was no noise ut
all.
One evening when Tilda had been
domesticated about II month, Mrs. I.oring
went into the kitchen to prepare some
thing for one OF the children, who was ail-
ing. Tilda's 'fran," Nicholas by namo,
was there, and Mrs. Loring, who always
felt kindly interest in tbs affairs of her
servants, noticed him somewhat closely.
10 her quiet good evening" he responded
respectfully. but without any of tho
'sheepishncss' which Mrs. I0ring Ind
observed, on occasions like the present, in
tho men who had "kcpt company with
her other servants He was II large, well
built fellow, with u strong, honest flce.
and as Mrs. I4oring Went upstairs she felt
u little OIL the pleasure that all true women
feel III the thought that another woman.
however humble, is to be cared for by u
man who will do it worthily--a pleasure
not entirely obliterated by the more selfish
mental query WHICH would obtrude us to
whether she would be getting married
Just as she hecaE,c we'll wontcd to the
work.
II hope it will prove IL long co,lrtship,'"
she said, half aloud, as she reached the
nursery, where other things soon drove
the subject from her thoughts.
Two or three months passed. Nicholas
continued his visits, but Mrs. l.orng, with
the exception of two glmpses as hurried
;'s the first, did not see him again. One
morning i'll the early spring. when Tilda
had been nearly four months with her,
Mrs. Loring noticed that she looked sullen
and dull, and that her eyes were swollen
as II from crying; but she avoided re-
marking upon it, thinking that The kinder
way, and hoping that the mood would soon
give way tn n happier one. Blu, days
passed and the change did not come.
Tilda was civil and did her work fairly
well, but she "glumn.cu around without
Il smile, and the traces; of tears were often
visible. So a week went by, when it sud
denly occurred 10 Mrs. I.oring that she
had not heard Nicholas coming and Going
for some days--and two and two instantly
became four. "a lovers uuarrel,n she
thought; ''lll sec it can help matters. ~
SO that evening when the work was fin
ished she went TO the kitchen. TilGa was
sewing, but her eyes were red and wet.
Mrs. l4orng always 'rcspecteti" her SER
wants, and her intuitions were a.; true. if
different, in approaching them uu Il sub
lect sacred 10 themselves as they would
have been i'll 4 similar interview with Il
social equal, so that in few moments
Tilda's heart WAS won, and She was pour
ing it out unreservedly.
"He hev gone back cr Swaaen.' she
said, Wiping her eyes. Then in an instant:
''He told sud go longer wild en-; but l
kenenty yus now. Mar sccs,ers dey all
hare, and mar yoonges secster see hcycnty
been long away fom Swaden kenentv
:eev hare right away
But said Mrs. Loring ''he isn't
angry? He will come backs'
"Oh, yaas; fen EN- faler veil, he com.
Yaas' with Il pretty conscious pride in
her eye, and little straightening), he
2om back, but mebbe it be longer time.
'Em fatler pretty mush seek, and EN-
lnodcr ces ole. l kenenty tai" And she
cried again. But it had done her good to
unburtlen her heart, and Mrs. Loring was
a kind comforter, and reminded her how
quickly time flew. and how nice his let
,ers would be, and the interview ended.
Nearly year passed. Twice every
month (Which was often FOR !. man to
whom Il letter was doubtless serious